LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Focus on positive, not EconCat88

Toledoans should forget about EconCat88 and turn their attention to the people who are contributing greatness to the city (“EconCat88 resurfaces with harsh new videos; Critic continues to show seedier sides of Toledo,” Dec. 6).

I’m a Toledo native, but for the past decade I’ve lived in Pittsburgh — a city that has seen its fair share of post-industrial woes. A major difference between the two cities is that Pittsburgh fosters a culture of civic pride, particularly among its youth. I’ve seen the same momentum building in Detroit, Cleveland, and similar Rust Belt cities.

Toledoans would benefit from hearing more about the city’s pockets of positivity. Who are this city’s entrepreneurs, do-gooders, advocates, and innovators?

When the media put the lens on people who are doing interesting work in the city, morale is boosted and people are inspired to imagine what their city could be — and most important, empowered to take action.

Fight negativism with positive viewThe Blade’s crusade against YouTube videos that portray Toledo negatively seems misguided. Instead of using your bully pulpit to launch a witch hunt against one amateur videographer, why not do a series on urban decay in Toledo compared to other cities?

To combat the problem of the prominence of these videos in YouTube searches related to Toledo, why not work with a few other local entities to ask people to create, post, and share pro-Toledo videos, highlighting what they love about the area?

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that the newspaper that produces great journalism, such as the series on Ohio’s questionable business development investments and on Toledo gangs, is also responsible for oddball crusades such as this one.

RYAN McCARTHYPerrysburg

Politicians, leaders made the messThe Blade should be keeping local politicians and city leaders accountable for their actions, not a local YouTuber.

Toledo does not have horrid poverty because of EconCat88’s videos, but rather because of previous mayors’ and city councils’ rules and regulations that drove businesses and people out of Toledo.

If people are truly angry about the images they see in EconCat’s videos, they should do something about it. Pick up trash while walking place to place, as I do. Buy a house and renovate it or vote out the politicians who put our city in the position of having as many blighted areas as we do.

We are blaming the messenger when we should blame the lawmakers. Unfriendly policies drive people and businesses out, not some videos.

RON JOHNSGreencrest Lane

Editor’s note: The letter writer was an unsuccessful candidate this year for Toledo City Council.

How poor treated a measure of usThere is discussion in Toledo about homeless shelters (“Follow the money,” editorial, Dec. 3). Christians are called on to live the Gospel.

However, many people want the poor to go away and pretend they don’t exist. Every culture can be evaluated by how it treats its poorest members.